A perennial favorite among young children is to play 'dress up.' When you're young it's fun to pretend to be something you're not - a fireman, a teacher, a princess, a mommy or a daddy. And it's helpful in exploring possible future roles and identities. But as we grow, we are expected to face our reality more squarely. It's a healthy and mature thing to be able to see ourselves for who we really are. Still... there are parts of ourselves we 'dress up.' Parts of ourselves that we mask so that others can't see the real us. It may be parts that we think unattractive; parts we feel are inadequate; parts we are ashamed of; or parts that we just don't think fit in with others. We may be able to hide from ourselves and others, but we can't hide from God. God sees, knows - and loves - every part of us. As we come to see ourselves and each other as God sees us, we grow in his love and grace. Playing 'dress up' is fun, but taking our masks off is life-changing!
